Complaints grow over tourism boom at Warwick farms

Hema Easley @hemaeasley

Sunday

Nov 11, 2018 at 7:00 PMNov 11, 2018 at 7:00 PM

WARWICK – Can a town have too much of a good thing?

After 15 years of an agritourism boom where local farms have offered concerts, weddings, farm-to-table food and farm-cations in addition to growing and selling produce, the Town of Warwick is considering tightening rules that could mitigate what some fed-up residents say are the trend's worst excesses.

Warwick may restrict the number of events that can be held at farms, institute new permit requirements and limit the hours when music can be played and at what level.

One proposal would require that live music on farms end by 9 p.m., two hours earlier than the current limit. The public hearing on the issue has been closed. A decision could be made this month.

Any major change could upend the delicate balance that allows Warwick to have a thriving economy while preserving much of its land.

Supervisor Mike Sweeton recognizes it will be a tough process.

"We're trying to find the right balance," said Sweeton. "We want to continue the town's success in fostering its ag industry, which has contributed to the economy, while making sure it stays in harmony with the town's residents."

In 2002, the Town of Warwick created the Agricultural Protection Overlay Zone that gave approved landowners certain economic incentives that would boost agritourism and preserve farmland.

Some of these incentives allowed farms to host weddings and concerts, open food stands and restaurants, permit “tentrrs” who wish to enjoy the outdoors in a country setting, and open breweries and wineries as encouraged by New York state.

Sweeton credits these changes with helping preserve 4,000 acres of farmland in the town by making them economically viable.

Over the years, however, the town felt some applications were not in keeping with the spirit of the zoning. So it implemented a moratorium on new applications while it defined and clarified uses, and sought public input.

The town soon learned that the attractions that draw tourists to Warwick grate on some local residents. Dozens have come before the Town Board to express their discontent.

“I don't know how that winery went from pick-your-own or make-your-own wine from what you grow on the property, to what it is now,” said Pete O’Connor, who lives on Little York Road where Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery is located.

“It's a concert venue, it's a wedding venue, it's a bistro, and it's nonstop. It's cars, it's tour buses, party buses, tractor-trailers, and they are all going back and forth.”

Connie Newsom likened Warwick residents to the frog in the apocryphal story which is put in tepid water as the temperature is raised little by little, until it is boiled alive.

“My husband has a phrase for what's happening here,” said Newsom. “He calls it not agritourism, but agriboozing … and it’s accompanied by loud music which is bouncing off of the Pochuck Mountain. What started out as bucolic wine country is now a nightmare for the residents.”

Joe Grizzanti, the owner of Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, said he made various changes to his business to accommodate the concerns of neighbors.

These included having music only on weekends and only until 5 p.m. He said he was willing to pay for speed bumps to improve traffic.

“The bottom line is, we can't throw the baby out with the bath water,” said Grizzanti. “We have to come up with a solution as a community.”

The town has a noise ordinance that limits sound to 75 decibels. Sweeton has said that irrespective of what the town decides, it will equip all police patrol cars with sound meters so that when complaints come in, police can check sound levels and issue violations if needed.

Other farmers are also making their voices heard. Any change the Town Board makes could have a big impact on their livelihood.

Steve Pennings, owner of Pennings Farm Market, said his business maintained appropriate decibel levels, implemented regular sound checks, and ended outdoor music at the required time.

"Forms of agritainment, including special events and festivals that host live outdoor music, have become a means of sustainability on our farm that was not able to sustain itself through farming alone," Pennings said in an email.

Pioneer Farm, which bills itself as an idyllic wedding destination, could be affected, too, if new regulations are adopted.

Jane Newman, co-owner of Pioneer Farm, said her annual mortgage payments, taxes and insurance run $110,000, and income from weddings was essential to sustaining the farm.

“Our issue is the 9 p.m. change. It would be difficult for us to sustain our current wedding business,” said Matt Hedge, co-owner of Pioneer Farm. “Basically, I hope there's an agreement that we all can come to. The weddings are a micro economy … I don't want to upset our neighbors, but we will be in a lot of trouble if we can't continue our current business.”

heasley@th-record.com

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